Drugs And
Why
Several illustrations of this great subject have been presented before me. The first was a family consisting of a father and daughter. The daughter was sick, and the father was much troubled on her account, and summoned a physician. As the father conducted him into the sick room, he manifested a painful anxiety. The physician examined the patient, and said but little. They both left the sick room. The father informed the physician that he had buried the mother, a son and daughter, and this daughter was all that was left to him of his family. He anxiously inquired of the physician if he thought his daughter's case hopeless.
The physician then inquired in regard to the nature and length of the sickness of those who had died. The father moanfully related the painful facts connected with the illness of his loved ones. "My son was first attacked with a fever. I called a physician. He said that he could administer medicine which would soon break the fever. He gave him powerful medicine, but was disappointed in its effects. The fever was reduced, but my son grew dangerously sick. The same medicine was again given him, without producing any change for the better. The physician then resorted to still more powerful medicines, but my son obtained no relief. The fever left him, but he did not rally. He sank rapidly and died.
"The death of my son so sudden and unexpected was a great grief to us all, but especially to his mother. Her watching and anxiety in his sickness, and her grief occasioned by his sudden death, were too much for her nervous system, and my wife was soon prostrated. I felt dissatisfied with the course pursued by this physician. My confidence in his skill was shaken, and I could not employ him a second time. I called another to my suffering wife. This second physician gave her a liberal dose of opium, which he said would relieve her pains, quiet her nerves, and give her rest, which she much needed. The opium stupefied her. She slept, and nothing could arouse her from the death-like stupor. Her pulse and heart at times throbbed violently, and then grew more and more feeble in their action, until she ceased to breathe. Thus she died without giving her family one look of recognition. This second death seemed more than we could endure. We all sorrowed deeply but I was agonized and could not be comforted.
"My daughter was next afflicted. Grief, anxiety and watching, had overtasked her powers of endurance, and her strength gave way, and she was brought upon a bed of suffering. I have now lost confidence in both the physicians I had employed. Another physician was recommended to me as being successful in treating the sick. And although he lived at a distance, I was determined to obtain his services.
"This third physician professed to understand my daughter's case. He said that she was greatly debilitated, and that her nervous system was deranged, and that fever was upon her, which could be controlled, but that it would take time to bring her up from her present state of debility. He expressed perfect confidence in his ability to raise her. He gave her powerful medicine to break up the fever. This was accomplished. But as the fever left, the case assumed more alarming features, and grew more complicated. As the symptoms changed, the medicines were varied to meet the case. While under the influence of new medicines she would, for a time, appear revived, which would flatter our hopes, that she would get well, only to make our disappointment more bitter as she became worse.
"The physician's last resort was calomel. For some time she seemed to be between life and death. She was thrown into convulsions. As these most distressing spasms ceased, we were aroused to the painful fact that her intellect was weakened. She began slowly to improve, although still a great sufferer. Her limbs were crippled as the effect of the powerful poisons which she had taken. She lingered a few years a helpless, pitiful sufferer, and died in much agony."
After this sad relation the father looked imploringly to the physician, and entreated him to save his only remaining child. The physician looked sad and anxious, but made no prescription. He arose to leave, saying that he would call the next day.
My attention was then called to the first case, that of the father who had lost his wife and two children. The physician was in the sick room, standing by the bedside of the afflicted daughter. Again he left the room without giving medicine. The father, when in the presence of the physician alone seemed deeply moved, and he inquired impatiently, "Do you intend to do nothing? Will you leave my only daughter to die?" The physician said,
"I have listened to the sad history of the death of your much loved wife, and your two children, and have learned from your own lips that all three have died while in the care of physicians, while taking medicines prescribed and administered by their hands. Medicine has not saved your loved ones, and as a physician I solemnly believe that none of them need, or ought to have died. They could have recovered if they had not been so drugged that nature was enfeebled by abuse, and finally crushed." He stated decidedly to the agitated father "I cannot give medicine to your daughter. I shall only seek to assist nature in her efforts, by removing every obstruction, and then leave nature to recover the exhausted energies of the system." He placed in the father's hand a few directions which he enjoined upon him to follow closely.
"Keep the patient free from excitement, and every influence calculated to depress. Her attendants should be cheerful and hopeful. She should have a simple diet, and should be allowed plenty of pure soft water to drink. Bathe frequently in pure soft water followed by gentle rubbing. Let the light, and air, be freely admitted into her room. She must have quiet, and undisturbed rest."
The father slowly read the prescription, and wondered at the few simple directions it contained, and seemed doubtful of any good resulting from such simple means. Said the physician,
"You have had sufficient confidence in my skill to place the life of your daughter in my hands. Withdraw not your confidence. I will visit your daughter daily, and direct you in the management of her case. Follow my directions with confidence, and I trust in a few weeks to present her to you in a much better condition of health, if not fully restored."
The father looked sad and doubtful, but submitted to the decision of the physician. He feared that his daughter must die if she had no medicine.
I was brought again into the sick room of the first case, that of the father and his daughter. The daughter was sitting by the side of her father, cheerful and happy, with the glow of health upon her countenance. The father was looking upon her with happy satisfaction, his countenance speaking the gratitude of his heart, that his only child was spared to him. Her physician entered, and after conversing with the father and child for a short time, arose to leave. He addressed the father, thus,
"I present to you your daughter restored to health. I gave her no medicine that I might leave her with an unbroken constitution. Medicine never could have accomplished this. Medicine deranges nature's fine machinery, and breaks down the constitution, and kills, but never cures. Nature alone possesses the restorative powers. She alone can build up her exhausted energies, and repair the injuries she has received by inattention to her fixed laws."
He then asked the father if he was satisfied with his manner of treatment. The happy father expressed his heartfelt gratitude, and perfect satisfaction, saying,
"I have learned a lesson I shall never forget. It was painful, yet it is of priceless value. I am now convinced that my wife and children need not have died. Their lives were sacrificed while in the hands of physicians by their poisonous drugs."
Selected Messages
Book 2 P 443-448
- Home
- Days Of Long Ago
- Farmer
- Cougar
- Three Men
- Dog
- I Will Return
- Esther
- Joseph Bates
- Martyr
- Courage And Strength
- The Dark Cloud
- A Prayer In The Dark
- Sabbath Of The Lord
- Kingly Shepherd Boy
- Man In The Philippines
- Heart Searching
- Companion In Trouble
- Book
- Willie
- Jonah
- Kitten and Cobra
- From Above
- Preacher A Thief
- Jolanta
- Glass Of Milk
- Dangerous Ice
- Marge
- Train Wreck
- Happy Family
- Beware
- What Next
- Revenge
- Preacher
- Thankful
- Angel By Me
- One Cord
- The Record
- Decision
- Susie Prayer
- Company Manners
- Company
- The Ballroom
- Make Plain
- Christ Our Refuge
- Slaughter
- Toms Trial
- Premium
- Caravan Starts
- Kind Word
- Another Commandment
- Retired Merchant
- Novel Reading
- Just Before Generous
- Quicksand
- Light In Darkness
- What Shall Profit
- Within Your Means
- Wrong Pocket
- My House Our House
- Mountain Prayer Meeting
- Rescue At Sea
- Only A Husk
- Ruined
- Was Blotted Out
- Never Indorse
- A Life Lesson
- Hard Times Conquered
- Good Lesson Spoiled
- Prayer For Pirates
- Grandmothers Room
- School Life
- Benevolent Society
- Instructive Anecdote
- Didnt Smoke
- Scenery Trip
- The Young Musician
- Lymans Testimonial
- Unforgotten Words
- Herrings For Nothing
- Bread Upon The Waters
- Miracles In Africa
- Rift In The Cloud
- Reward Of Perseverance
- Ricest Man
- Over The Crossing
- Mother Prayer
- Fence Story
- Drugs And Why
- In My Place
- Infidel Captain
- Jewels
- Nellie Altons Mother
- Dangerous Doors
- Heart Has Sorrow
- The Open Door
- Weeping
- Evening Prayer
- Happy New Year
- Rowena And Pills
- Scripture Quilt
- Speak To Strangers
- The Lost Bag
- Fire
- The Majors Cigar
- Creation Story
- Little Sisters
- He Stood The Test
- Widows Christmas
- A Will Joe
- Large Oak Tree
- Scene In A Saloon
- Look To Your Thoughts
- Andys Hands
- For Whom
- Infidels Converted
- The Perfect Helper
- Arrested For Christ
- Twenty-Three Miles
- Left To Die
- Boy Of New Guinea
- Winifreds Party
- Fjord And Ferry
- Working With Him
- Clock Struck Thirteen
- Kant And The Robbers
- Can And Could
- Wormy Puffball
- Neds Trust
- King Snakes
- Maggies Lost Cat
- Act Of The Will
- Home For Harry
- Set Free
- Door To Door
- Hard To Reach
- Reaching A Muslim
- Bears
- Bushman story
- Milk Pan
- A King Is Born
- Hailstorms And Horses
- The Unbeliever
- Man With A Past
- Disarming Dog
- Broken Bone
- Angel Over Tent
- Cow Got Stuck
- Brave Girl
- Boat And Raft
- Battles
- Taking My Picture
- Moderation
- Miss Clancy
- School
- Golden Gate
- Morning Star
- All The World
- Mountain Children
- Six Years Old
- Greatest Gift
- God's Love In Affliction
- Zacchaeus
- Letter From China
- Angel Hand
- Angry Mob
- A Daughter's Prayer
- Deliverance
- Dog That Watched
- Footprints In Snow
- Prayer Of Faith
- Urgent Voice
- Watchmen
- Where's Your Friend
- Never Give Up
- By The Window
- Little Lamb
- Sea Stars
- Good Foundation
- Wandering Glider
- Tough Roots
- Trust Jesus
- Build A Bridge
- Oilbirds
- Potatoes
- Honeybee
- Stormy Night
- Shabbat In Lvov
- Hospitality
- Alone With Wolves
- Elephant Lifesaver
- Angel's Hand
- Angel On Patrol
- In The Night
- Sierras
- Someone Helped
- Mission To Portland
- Food From Heaven
- Sticky Situation
- Taking The Bite
- Soldier For God
- Beriberi Good Discovery
- Who Is King
- Rescuing Uncle Nat
- Modest Abe
- In The Mist
- Baton Rouge
- Baby Craze
- Miracle Water
- Out Of Control
- The Back 9
- The Bull Preached
- Speed Toward Trouble
- Miracle In Boston
- Bandits In The Night
- Nailed
- Arrested For Jesus
- Dog Sold A Book
- Enemies
- My Shoes
- Kidnapped
- Emergency
- Money Trouble
- Friends For Real
- Prickly Revenge
- Paper Carrier
- Baby Elephant
- Silent Culprit
- Triple Blast
- Strange Idea
- Seven Apples
- Crack In The Wall
- Miracle For Melianne
- Meet My Brothers
- In The Field
- Jellyfish
- Greetings From Florida
- Trapped In An Oven
- Outnumbered
- Kingdom Of Ants
- Rustlers
- Cornmeal Answer
- Awakened By Rattlesnake
- Meerkats
- Christmas Plan
- Stampede
- Saving Twins
- Dead Man Talk
- Hurricane Warning
- Treasure In Wales
- Test Of Faithfulness
- Fernando Stahl
- Grouchy Mrs C
- Behind Enemy Lines
- Buried At Sea
- Miracle In The Surf
- Charming Nancy
- Mountain Of Fear
- Trail To Freedom
- Forbidden Village
- Leather hat
- Midst Of Danger
- Jungle Missionaries
- Bluebells
- Call To Kayata
- Gossip Story
- We Have Hope
- Kindness Repaid
- Cuttlefish
- Rescued
- Little Child
- The Potter
- Hands
- Willie's Story
- Kindness Of A Stranger
- Kindness Pays
- My God Hears
- Freedom's Shore
- Light In The Darkness
- Robbers Repent
- Datu's Dream
- Helped By An Angel
- Freedom In Jesus
- Peace In Jesus
- Convert
- Changed Heart
- A Child's Song
- Fasting
- Escape
- God's Money
- Vision Of Love
- Just A Minute
- From A Friend
- Power Of Influence
- Bouquet Of Gods Love
- Divine Love
- Caught By Christ
- God's Wings
- Little trees
- Stuck In The Closet
- Mad Dog
- Lone Flight
- Becky's Flowers
- Drummer Boy
- Crossing The Street
- Fire Chief
- Clock Struck Ten
- Earthquake
- Sold
- Where's The House
- It's Broken
- Rain And Flood
- Vacation Brakes
- The Very Smallest
- Angel Power
- Delayed Not Denied
- Two Chairs
- Count And The King
- No Theology Degree
- How The Prophet Felt
- Unsharpened Knife
- Horse Sense
- Prayer Is Real
- Learn Instantly
- Little Indian
- Heaven's Guard
- In Advance
- Three Dreams
- Father Knows Best
- Voice Of An Angel
- Across The World
- Without Leaving Home
- Tiger On The Trail
- Sharpened By Sword
- The Unseen
- Shoe Repair Shop
- Telegraph
- Two-Week Hideout
- Liberty
- King And The Girl
- Busy Spider
- Dogs And More
- Brave Man
- Protecting Hand
- Lost Carabao
- Poisoned In Tibet
- She Loved Her Lord
- The Letter
- Angel In A Boat
- Believing Prayer
- Touch Of Angel Hands
- So Many Lights
- An Ant Did It
- Big or Little
- How Much Water
- Shingles
- Miracle In India
- Night Visitor
- Without Realizing It
- Six Little Girls
- Home Invasion
- Only One Key
- Thunder At Eight
- Credentials
- In The Fire
- Grace
- Fire Inferno
- Gave Mother A Message
- Granny Gets Baptized
- Kirkland
- All She Suffered
- Chinese Adventures
- Twice Delivered
- Africa
- Labor Of Love
- Map On The Wall
- New Year Connecting
- Gentle Giant
- A Prisoner
- Prayer
- God's Power
- Raised Spear
- New Church
- Exciting Work
- The Great Physician
- Track Indians
- Perseverance
- Honest Confession
- Delivered From Alcohol
- The Wanderer's Prayer
- Singular Will
- Inspiration In My Work
- Ears That Hear
- Stepmother
- Colporteurs
- When Mother Is Gone
- Expected Miracle
- God Is Not Mocked
- Survive A Freezing River
- Hell On Earth
- With The Green Cover
- Bad News
- The Stowaway
- Power In God's Word
- Grandfather's Faithfulness
- Foes Or Friends
- Challenged Me
- Deadly Combination
- Face Death
- Journey To Happiness
- Keep It Holy
- Animal For Children Story
- Almost
- Hand Of God
- Never Let Go
- Could Have Been An Angel
- God And The Spider
- A Plucky Boy
- Strange Mechanic
- This Moses Was Black
- Relay For Life
- Angel Of Mercy
- Thanksgiving
- Buzzing Sounds
- Paid A Debt
- Morpho Butterflies
- Crutches On The Alter
- One Boy Did
- Don't Get Burned
- Save The Bibles
- Basket Of Coal
- Autumn Leaves
- Carl's Garden
- Courageous Visitor
- Miracle In The Mountains
- Amazing Orchids
- Good Neighbor Policy
- The Lord Will Provide
- Isaiah 53 5
- Playing For The King
- One Minute More
- Small Corners
- Surprise Package
- Child Shall Lead Them
- Guards Of The Lord
- The Winds Blow
- Snapping Turtle
- Three In A Row
- Tweety
- Coals Of Fire
- Chicken House Snake
- Love
- The Kinds Of Bears
- Moses The Cat
- Lost Not Forgotten
- Feathers
- Missionary Spirit
- Emperor Penguin
- The Brown Towel
- God Will Take Care
- A Prayer Weighs
- The Golden Windows
- Worship The Devil
- Myrmecophytes
- To Be Caught
- Tree Frogs
- Feathered Jewels
- Called To The Light
- Baby Duck
- The Big Six
- Birthday Card
- Rescue At Night
- Fish Cleaning
- Fishing
- Dragons
- Chain Gang
- Troglomorphic Fish
- Mother's Love
- Mammalian Aviators
- Ocean Giants
- Tom's Revenge
- God Is Seen
- Spare Moments
- Shorebirds Talents
- Cobra In The Closet
- God Made Me Too
- The Choice
- Shining Face
- Taking Aim
- And I Wept
- Latchkey Was Out
- God Made Wonders
- The Kitten
- Don't Go To Church
- Rajeshwari
- Manna From Heaven
- Red Marbles
- Attractive But Deadly
- Boardman's Deliverance
- Escape By Prayer
- Deliverance Of Clarke
- God's Mercy
- Does A prayer Weigh
- Something Better
- Make An Overpass
- Laddie The Leader
- Book Mobile
- Shut Up With A Bible
- Tripped By An Angel
- Martyr's Mirror
- Muriel's Bright Idea
- The Ship's Crew
- A Stormy Night
- Strength Of Clinton
- Three Stages
- Trapped
- A Favorite
- Mother's Day Disaster
- The Little Latchkey
- Stuck On The Mountain
- Learned To Pray
- Faith That Never Dies
- On The Road
- Martyrs For Jesus
- Errand Boy
- Killer Bees
- Beautiful Farm
- Put To Flight
- Hurricanes
- Relief Of Leyden
- The Christian Dog
- Angel Report
- Persecutor To Persecuted
- Charles Tells His Story
- Love Story
- Grandma's Birthday
- Prepared Heart
- Revolution
- Lady In Japan
- Bandidts
- Lightening
- By Tempest
- Pray To Jehovah
- Elements Overrule
- Widow And The Priest
- Turning The River
- Trusting Jesus
- Happy Home
- Mad Elephants
- One Black Spared
- Christian Mechanic
- Bible And Magic
- Children Poems
- Siberia
- Stories
- Narrow Escape
- Interposition
- Pushed The Car
- Tennent In A Trance
- Have A Nice Weekend
- What Love Can Do
- Angel's Work
- Forbidden Book
- Jimmy And Grandpa
- Katie's Tongue
- Mabel's Dream
- Maple Syrup
- The Long Road
- Things That Spread
- Love Your Enemies
- Vision
- Boy And His Boarder
- Dog Saved A Crew
- Prison Door Open
- A Boy Lived Again
- God Chose One Weak
- Anne Askew
- Zinzendorf
- Hottentot Boy
- Cry For help
- Livingstone
- Elements Work
- Fugitives Delivered
- Forsaken Idol Tree
- Chinese Heart
- Out of Darkness
- Steps Of Faith
- Get The Captives
- Help In Formosa
- In Pondoland
- Boxer Uprising
- Basuto Raiders
- Flash Of Lightning
- Providential Gale
- Deliverance In Nicobars
- Restraining Hand
- Friends For Jesus
- Special Project
- Did Not Laugh
- Radio Station
- Run To Church
- Curious Carla
- Mango Tree
- Louisa's Lunch
- Red Motorbike
- Refuse To Pray
- Mopane Tree
- No Longer Bored
- Runaway Goats
- Letter From God
- Sad Little Duku
- Basile's Discovery
- Singing Band
- Boy's Witness